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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: pmcafee on March 19, 2010, 12:09:21 AM

Title: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: pmcafee on March 19, 2010, 12:09:21 AM
Hi,

It seems that just about every time I log into my system, Avast is stopped. I almost always have to go to the "fix the problem" area. It always restarts without a problem. My concern is that sometimes I don't notice that its stopped. Can anyone tell me what might be causing this? I have 5.0.462. Everything seems to work fine once its started.

Thanks
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: DavidR on March 19, 2010, 01:24:39 AM
I'm taking a wild guess here given your user name (though it could just as easily be your name ;D), have you have another AV installed on this system and if so how was it removed ?
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: pmcafee on March 19, 2010, 01:16:26 PM
Hi,

I wish that my name was associated to what you are thinking ! ;)

I did have Comodo CIS Antivirus installed at one point. I completely removed it and did a fresh install of Avast. Like I said in my original post, my problem is not a huge one, I was just curious as to why it does this sometimes.

Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: DavidR on March 19, 2010, 03:09:29 PM
Is it that avast isn't running (avast icon with a cross over it, see image) or that there is no icon (check task manager for avastUI.exe and avastSvc.exe) ?

Are you not getting an alert from the windows security center as you should if your AV isn't running ?

I don't know if there is a specialist tool for the removal of the CIS or not, did you remove it all or just uninstall the AV module ?

See http://www.askvg.com/ultimate-collection-of-uninstallers-removal-tools-for-all-popular-anti-virus-software/ (http://www.askvg.com/ultimate-collection-of-uninstallers-removal-tools-for-all-popular-anti-virus-software/) and http://uninstallers.blogspot.com/ (http://uninstallers.blogspot.com/)
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: zoot on March 20, 2010, 08:01:03 PM
I have this same problem.

Avast just stops running, (avast icon with a cross)

Everything looks fine when I first boot, then, after an undetermined period of time, I notice the icon has got a cross on it! When you click the icon, it gives the option to restart/fix, which I do, and all is ok until the next time! No alert is received from windows security center. It happens several times a day and I'm seriously considering getting rid of it!!!   >:(

Windows 7
Avast version 5.0.462
Previous AV was Avast 4 with no problems.

Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: Lisandro on March 20, 2010, 08:03:42 PM
I suggest an installation from the scratch:

1. Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html) and save it.
2. Download the latest avast! (http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html) version and save it.
3. Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
4. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you've run it. You should use it twice, for version 4 and 5.
5. Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Boot.
6. Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro.
7. Check and post the results.
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: zoot on March 20, 2010, 09:03:26 PM
I suggest an installation from the scratch:

1. Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html) and save it.
2. Download the latest avast! (http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html) version and save it.
3. Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
4. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you've run it. You should use it twice, for version 4 and 5.
5. Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Boot.
6. Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro.
7. Check and post the results.

OK, I've done all that, just waiting to see what happens!

Thanks for your help!  ;)
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: Pondus on March 20, 2010, 09:07:37 PM
Somone with similar problem http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=57238.0
maybe solved, since we have not heard from him again.....see reply #35
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: Asyn on March 21, 2010, 01:30:13 AM
I suggest an installation from the scratch:

1. Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html) and save it.
2. Download the latest avast! (http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html) version and save it.
3. Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
4. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you've run it. You should use it twice, for version 4 and 5.
5. Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Boot.
6. Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro.
7. Check and post the results.


may it b possible, that it isn't the first time u suggested that or similar ??? ;)
wouldn't it b possible 2 post a sticky note on that and other issues asked frequently?
so u just could redirect new users, instead of always posting the same answers?
it's just an idea - so, if u like posting same answers o&o again - it's also ok with me... ;)
asyn
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: pmcafee on March 21, 2010, 07:03:13 PM
Is it that avast isn't running (avast icon with a cross over it, see image) or that there is no icon (check task manager for avastUI.exe and avastSvc.exe) ?

Are you not getting an alert from the windows security center as you should if your AV isn't running ?

I don't know if there is a specialist tool for the removal of the CIS or not, did you remove it all or just uninstall the AV module ?

See http://www.askvg.com/ultimate-collection-of-uninstallers-removal-tools-for-all-popular-anti-virus-software/ (http://www.askvg.com/ultimate-collection-of-uninstallers-removal-tools-for-all-popular-anti-virus-software/) and http://uninstallers.blogspot.com/ (http://uninstallers.blogspot.com/)


Avast appears to be running, but there is an red X over the icon. The Windows Security center does not indicate a problem. It might be that it takes some time to get started, because it will sometimes fix itself. I usually go to Avast and click on start program (where everything is written in red). This works.

I removed all of CIS (antivirus and firewall) then reinstalled just the firewall that I have used for a few years with no problems.

I will uninstall and reinstall as suggested, but from other comments, this does not appear to work all the time.

thanks for the suggestions.
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: DavidR on March 21, 2010, 07:52:24 PM
<snip>
Avast appears to be running, but there is an red X over the icon. The Windows Security center does not indicate a problem. It might be that it takes some time to get started, because it will sometimes fix itself. I usually go to Avast and click on start program (where everything is written in red). This works.

So both avastUI and avastSvc.exe are running, even when there is a red X over the avast icon ?

As when the red X is there I would have expected windows security center to also notify avast not running.

I removed all of CIS (antivirus and firewall) then reinstalled just the firewall that I have used for a few years with no problems.

I will uninstall and reinstall as suggested, but from other comments, this does not appear to work all the time.

If the clean reinstall doesn't make any difference it may be worth trying this:
- From the avast UI, click Settings, Troubleshooting section, check the 'Load avast! services only after loading other system services' and see if that makes a difference, see image.
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: pmcafee on March 21, 2010, 09:25:53 PM
DavidR

I did a clean install of Avast and it is still doing the same thing with the "X". I will try what you suggest for the "'Load avast! services only after loading other system services" and see if this works.

Thank you.
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: DavidR on March 21, 2010, 10:08:22 PM
No problem, lets us know if that makes a difference.
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: zoot on March 28, 2010, 01:38:18 PM
Ok, I've now tried everything suggested in this thread, all to no avail.......I'm still getting the red 'x'.

It's back to the previous version for me...... or maybe even a different AV altogether!

Thanks for trying!
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: pmcafee on March 29, 2010, 01:17:13 AM
No problem, lets us know if that makes a difference.

Did not make a difference. Unfortunately I'm also getting my internet connection not being able to connect after having been "asleep" for a few hours. I don't know if this is Avast or my Comodo firewall, but its getting annoying.

Thanks for the suggestions.
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: Asyn on March 29, 2010, 11:24:10 AM
Unfortunately I'm also getting my internet connection not being able to connect after having been "asleep" for a few hours. I don't know if this is Avast or my Comodo firewall, but its getting annoying.

Thanks for the suggestions.

i experienced such a situation on one machine, which could b fixed by a bios update.
asyn
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: zoot on March 29, 2010, 07:27:43 PM
OK, Avast 5 just doesn't want to play on my machine, I now need to download version 4 (free), which ran perfectly, but, where can I get this from please?

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: DavidR on March 29, 2010, 07:50:24 PM
Download the latest version of avast 4.8 http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download#tab4 (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download#tab4).
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: zoot on March 29, 2010, 08:34:41 PM
Download the latest version of avast 4.8 http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download#tab4 (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download#tab4).

Thank you!
Title: Re: Avast does not always "start up"
Post by: DavidR on March 29, 2010, 08:38:17 PM
No problem.